The National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) serves as the venue for the first China International Import Expo that will take place in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10. [Photo/VCG]

European countries are actively participating in the first China International Import Expo that is set to take place in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10.

Belgium, a European country featuring export-oriented economy, greatly depends on export businesses, which contribute about 85 percent to the country's total GDP.

It will send a delegation of enterprises in its advantaged industries such as chemical engineering, green technology and biomedicine to attend the import expo.

Bernard Dewit, chairman of Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said that China and Belgium have had close contact in economy and trade in recent years, and Belgium placed great emphasis on the import expo by sending a high-level delegation led by the country's Deputy Prime Minister.

Dewit considered the expo as a good opportunity for the participating enterprises, providing them convenience to tap into the Chinese market.

"They can understand better what Chinese market needs and how to provide high-quality products to China."

Dewit also mentioned that Belgium will continue to actively participate in free trade.

A Belgian businessman said excitedly that the expo, a platform for global exporters, brings benefits to him and his counterparts.

Germany, China's largest trade partner, will organize a delegation of 170 enterprises to the expo,

The Director of East Asian affairs at the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry said the expo is a perfect opportunity for German enterprises.

Many German enterprises are expected to seek Chinese partners and gain a better understanding of the Chinese market via the expo. They will also display technologies and new products for the Chinese market at the expo.

Chinese government has launched a series of tariff reduction measures to facilitate foreign trade. As of Nov 1, tariff on over 1,500 imported items will be cut down further.

German television Welt reported that the import expo will prove that the Chinese market is opening wider doors and is also indispensable.